A Snapshot Of Terrorism In The World Today

Within a single year the world has experienced a 61%
increase in terrorist attacks, according to the
2014 edition of The
Global Terrorism Index from
the Institute for Economics &
Peace.

The index covers 99.6% of the world's population and ranks 162 countries based on the impact of
terrorist activities along with analysis of economic and social
factors. The IEP
defines terrorism as "the threatened or actual use of illegal
force and violence by a non-state actor to attain a political,
economic, religious or social goal through fear, coercion, or
intimidation."

Iraq Breeds The Most Terrorism Along With These 4 Nations

Approximately 17,958 people were killed
in terrorist attacks last year, and of those deaths 82% occurred
in just 5 nations: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Nigeria, and Syria.

Of the
162 surveyed nations, Iraq holds the deplorable top spot with
approximately 2,492 terrorist attacks in 2013,
which killed 6,362 people.

Combined,
these nations accounted for nearly 15,000
fatalities. Since 2000 only 5% of these crimes
were suicide attacks.

The four
terrorist groups responsible for the most destructive acts
are Taliban, Boko
Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. The report notes
that radical variants of Islam was “the key commonality for all
four groups.” However, the study does not take into account the
recent attacks from ISIS since the research tapers off at the end
of 2013.

Although
terrorism is on the rise, the report notes that the figures are
still relatively small when compared to the 437,000 people killed
by homicide in 2013. For example, in the US an individual is 64
times more likely to die from a homicide than terrorism.

The
overwhelming method of carrying out a terrorist attack was by way
of explosives. Since 2000, only 5%
of these crimes were suicide attacks.

At Risk Countries

According to the report, more than 90% of all terrorist attacks
occur in countries that have gross human rights violations.

Anti-Balaka fighters pose
at their base in the Boeing district of the Central African
Republic's capital Bangui January 16, 2014.Emmanuel Braun/Reuters

IEP identifies the following 13 countries with a high risk
potential of terrorism activity.

These nations either have violent ongoing conflicts or notable
social and economic setbacks.